Pocketbook vs Kobo?

[HolyAura]

Just figured I'd start this thread because I'm wondering how good Pocketbook is. Are there any advantages that Pocketbook has over Kobo, and vice versa? What type of people do Pocketbook and Kobo suit? In terms of software, or hardware, like lighting and battery? Pocketbook is like a whole new thing to me.

[Uncle Robin]

I think one big advantage Kobo has is availability. Pocketbook is hard to buy from in much of the world, and the prohibitive shipping costs make the already expensive devices very much more so. In some places, two Claras would cost little more than one of the nearest Pocketbook equivalent.

[HDestruct]

I don't have a Pocketbook but I heard that Pocketbook doesn't have its own store and you have to sideload all your books... another big disadvantage

[JSWolf]

One other Kobo advantage is much better support on MR. If you need any sort of help, there are a lot more people here who can help.

[ps67]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

I think one big advantage Kobo has is availability. Pocketbook is hard to buy from in much of the world, and the prohibitive shipping costs make the already expensive devices very much more so. In some places, two Claras would cost little more than one of the nearest Pocketbook equivalent.

Here If We take a Clara and a 'Touch HD 3 there is a substantial difference (119 € against 170 €) but the device is different: audio support, a Dual Core (2 × 1 GHz) processor for Touch H3D.

If we take a 7.8" - 8" screen device:

PocketBook InkPad 3 Pro, reader e-Book, 16 GB display E-Ink Carta da 7,8" , SMARTlight, Wi-Fi, IPX8 € 291.99

Kobo Forma Touch Screen 8 GB Wi-Fi, IPX8. 8": € 279,99 (but € 262,49 on Amazon).

The difference is not enormous here and PocketBook InkPad 3 Pro has some feature like audio support (Bluetooth with support for MP3 M4B and OGG) that someone could like. In general it is not simple to compare prices because the features are not exactly the same (a little larger screen for Forma and 16GB of space instead of 8GB for InkPad 3 Pro). And again a Dual Core processor for InkPad3 Pro.

But of course the prices of the devices depend on where You are.

I can compare only what I can see from sites, I own a Kobo (Aura One) but I don't own a PocketBook, if there is someone who owns them both and wants to write something, he/she can give a more precise opinion.

[HolyAura]

Thanks for all the responses!

What about other things like quality of lighting, battery, and what are the variety of font sizes, font type, and margins. I know Kobo has a lot of different options for these, but what about Pocketbook? And, are there any issues with the hardware, for example, uneven lighting?

[stumped]

There is a huge potential issue with any warranty, if that requires you to ship it back to China or wherever at your expense. That's if you even get a warranty.
not just Pocketbook but any of the niche products with no retail support in the buyers country.
Oh, and before you even get to the warranty there s the small issue of whether it even turns up after your money has been paid away.. search and see other threads for more on that.
now is a particularly stupid time to except "normal" shipping to the west, from the likes of ebay sellers in China.

if you are comfortable with all of that, then you can begin to search for answers to those questions about the specs.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by HDestruct

I don't have a Pocketbook but I heard that Pocketbook doesn't have its own store and you have to sideload all your books... another big disadvantage

That depends. Many members here, myself included, don't use the inbuilt store on their ereader, even on a Kindle. We manage our ebook library in Calibre and sideload all our ebooks, no matter where the books were purchased from. No store on an ereader would not matter to us at all.

Of course such people are a tiny minority compared to general users out there.

[slkissinger]

I have an addiction. I haven't sought therapy. So... I have Kindles, Kobos, and yes, a Pocketbook Touch HD3. I sideload everything; although since I started w/Kindle, when I buy books, I buy via Amazon and then sideload to the other devices. I don't do audio books (yet, maybe one day I will). All that said... on my nightstand is a Touch HD3, and the Kobo Libra, which I interchange depending upon what I'm reading at the time.

I like both for the same reasons: I like having actual buttons for page turning. Nothing against swiping, I'll do that as well, but the buttons are just something I like. The sizes are fine for me--either the 6 or the 7" are fine for me.

One thing I like about the Pocketbook Touch HD 3 is that for me at least; with no scientific or even casual measurement, it 'feels like' the battery lasts longer on the Pocketbook. Is it because I have some Kobo additions like the miniclock, which add just that little bit extra battery drain? Maybe; I don't know. It's not that the Libra is awful; just that the Pocketbook seems to need less recharging.

I don't play with margins or fonts that much either, sorry; so can't answer if there are a lot of choices (or not) for that on the Pocketbook.

I'm in the U.S., and the pocketbook was more of a "I just want to try it" type of thing; so I didn't mind that last year, when there wasn't the fun stuff going on like right now, even then it was about a 3 week wait for delivery, from ordering. Your location, HolyAura, says Singapore; so for you it might be easier to get a Pocketbook than someone in the U.S. (and to return it if needed).

I'm getting older, so "older eyes", and I'd say that for that reason alone, I read the 7" Libra more than the 6" Touch HD3. But honestly; either one is great, for me.

[Uncle Robin]

Originally Posted by ps67

Here...
But of course the prices of the devices depend on where You are.

Which was the entire point of my post. Pocketbooks are a much more attractive proposition in Europe, where they are available with the prohibitive shipping costs I mentioned.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by HolyAura

Just figured I'd start this thread because I'm wondering how good Pocketbook is. Are there any advantages that Pocketbook has over Kobo, and vice versa? What type of people do Pocketbook and Kobo suit? In terms of software, or hardware, like lighting and battery? Pocketbook is like a whole new thing to me.

I wouldn't mind trying out a PocketBook eReader some time, but they're kind of like Tolinos in the U.S. — hard to find with little support. I think, just like Tolinos and Kobos, their hardware is made by Netronix.

One thing different between them and Tolinos and Kobos is that most models still have microSD slots and page turn buttons. They do have their own bookstore, BookLand, but it has almost no English titles. I bought a Robin Hobb book from them and then, the next time I went their to buy another title, all the English Robin Hobb titles were gone? Which I thought was odd.

I think PocketBooks are like Tolinos, you can download ePubs directly to them from books stores or Overdrive because they have ADE built right into them. (But I don't know that for certain and can't personally vouch for it.)

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

I think one big advantage Kobo has is availability. Pocketbook is hard to buy from in much of the world, and the prohibitive shipping costs make the already expensive devices very much more so. In some places, two Claras would cost little more than one of the nearest Pocketbook equivalent.

Actually you can get them relatively cheaply at GoodEReader (which is something I, personally, probably wouldn't do.)

https://goodereader.com/blog/?s=pock...e-DESC&ixwps=1

You also used to be able to find them on Amazon sometimes.

Doing some Google searching and found a couple other sources for PocketBook eReaders. An English company, TechInn ships to the U.S. and seem to have good prices... (No experience with this company, so I'm not personally vouching for them. They do charge $8 shipping (USPS), quite a bit more if you go with DHL or UPS).

https://www.techinn.com/en/pocketbook/4338/m

Also, I forgot about Grooves Land (a German company that ships free to the United States). They seem to have decent prices for PocketBooks as well... (Again, no experience with this company so I'm not personally vouching for them ... though they seem to have been around for a while.)

https://www.grooves-inc.com/pocketbo...CABEgKWfvD_BwE

There's also a French company, Tea or Vivlio (not sure which now) that sells rebranded PocketBooks. They were usually cheaper, but I don't think the firmware was exactly the same.

[Uncle Robin]

[QUOTE=rcentros;3970171]Actually you can get them relatively cheaply at GoodEReader (which is something I, personally, probably wouldn't do.)
/QUOTE]

MY post said "much of the world", your reply is US-specific. I stand by my comment.

[Sirtel]

[QUOTE=Uncle Robin;3970190]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Actually you can get them relatively cheaply at GoodEReader (which is something I, personally, probably wouldn't do.)
/QUOTE]

MY post said "much of the world", your reply is US-specific. I stand by my comment.

GoodEReader ships internationally. I bought my Nook from them.

[Uncle Robin]

[QUOTE=Sirtel;3970202]

Originally Posted by Uncle Robin

GoodEReader ships internationally. I bought my Nook from them.

The thread is specifically about Pocketbook vs Kobo - no one in Europe would need to buy a Pocketbook from Goodreader, as they are readily available there. My point about prohibitive shipping costs FOR POCKETBOOK to, quote, (again!) "much of the world" remains valid. EOT